TexanMark

Like someone else suggested: You fly into Buffalo and rent a car and drive the two hours to Toronto. Take a side trip to Niagara Falls and the Casino.

Cuse fan here The extra day of rent for MSG wasn't the problem--the league doesn't want to wear down the teams with four games is the reason they limited it. BTW, a link for a feel for what the BE Basketball Championship is all about. http://syracuse.scout.com/3/BETGuide.html P.S. I'll be coming down for the Football game in Novemeber.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bige/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/USF-UCONN-Map.pdf Let the ******** commence

Dish TV has everything except the Yes Network and NFL Ticket. Has an extensive regional sports network package. Offers Gameplan and fullcourt.

ESPNU is now carried on Dish Network SAT TV.  Channel 148.  Both major SAT TV providers now carry the "U". Also, CSTV added to Channel 152 Good News for College Fans

First Draft has hit the web. It is still missing a bunch of links, which should get inserted in a few days. If anything doesn't sound right--let me know. Thanks TexanMark http://syracuse.scout.com/3/TailgateGuideSouthFlorida.html

Thx for the food recommendations--I love Cuban Food. Any Golfers out there?  Looking for a few recommendations in all price levels...thx

Okay guys--I'm making changes. A request? How about a few public golf courses to recommend for the guide? Thanks Mark

For your November 26th visit http://syracuse.scout.com/3/TailgateGuideConnecticut.html

For your November 12th visit http://syracuse.scout.com/3/TailgateGuideSyracuse.html

Anybody know the name of the new motel they are building by RayJay? Thx

Thanks for the great info--I'll include most of it in my 2nd draft.

That was their old stadium--they moved to Rentscheler Field (30 mins west) in 2003 for FB games.

The Syracuse and Pitt games aren't confirmed, yet. If the game doesn't make TV Syracuse always starts non TV games at 1:30 pm in November. I will send the Syracuse link very soon for you guys to use in planning a trip to Syracuse. BTW, if you like fishing you should stay an extra day--world class Salmon Fishing is just north of the Cuse.

Guys:  I'd love it if you can add any local flavor to the article, find an error.  Let me know.  This should be up on the web soon.  Thanks USF Tailgate/Visitors’ Guide Insert pic: http://www.tampachamber.com/images/subpic_in_06.jpg By TexanMark University of South Florida (USF) is the lone geographical misfit of the Big East Football Conference.  Most felt USF won the BCS lottery when Boston College bolted for the ACC and left the Big East searching for an eighth member for the 2005 season.  USF due to the southern location is expected to be a favorite destination for mini-vacations for Big East football fans.  USF is a young team but I predict it’ll be a great asset to the league within five years. First Things First:  GETTING THERE Unless you want to drive 900 or so miles (Louisville, Cinci, WVU and Pitt) this trip will be a flying event.  The good news most everyone can get a nonstop into either Tampa http://www.tampaairport.com/ or close by Orlando (90 miles). http://www.orlandoairports.net:/goaa/main.htm Both of these airports have a bevy of cheap flights to northern cities.  Note:  Orlando offers the most nonstops and generally the cheapest flights.  It might be worth your while to fly into Orlando and rent a car and drive to Tampa.  Obviously, many visiting fans will plan a four-five day mini-vacation and will visit Orlando anyways. If time is tight you should fly into Tampa.  The airport is located about a mile from the stadium.  You can easily take a cab to the game. Note: Taxis drop/pickup riders at the Dale Mabry turnaround on the northeast corner of the stadium. Other Travel Options: Several ultra discount charter carriers offer scheduled service between some northeastern/midwestern cities and Orlando Sanford Airport http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/airlines.asp and Saint Petersburg/Clearwater Airports.  http://www.fly2pie.com/airlines_destinations/info_contact.asp Note:  These airlines often only fly once a day so a missed flight or broken aircraft could be very problematic.  If you have a lot of time Amtrak http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage offers service into Tampa.  The fall season is a great time to visit Florida due to discount prices for rooms and other tourist related services.  Consider yourself lucky if your team has a late November visit scheduled to Tampa and take advantage. Getting to the Stadium: Insert Picture: http://isis.fastmail.usf.edu/usf-athletics/Sports/football/facility/rayjay.gif USF like UConn, Louisville, and Pitt plays their football games off campus.  The campus is located about eight miles northeast.  http://usfweb2.usf.edu/tourusf/index.html  Like Pitt they share a NFL stadium.  Raymond James Stadium (RayJay) opened in 1998 and is a great venue with many amenities. http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/stadfact.htm  Note:  USF games only use the lower tier of the stadium.  Capacity is reduced about 25,000.  Listed capacity for USF games is about 44,000.  RayJay http://isis.fastmail.usf.edu/usf-athletics/Sports/football/facility/rayjay.htm is located off Dale Mabry Avenue which is a major North/South Artery in Tampa.  The stadium is located adjacent to the airport. Directions from the Official Stadium Website: http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/stadmap.htm#grounds Directions Insert Pic: http://www.buccaneers.com/media/graphics/rjs/CityMap.gif From the North: I-75 S. to I-275 S. to Hillsborough Ave. W. (Exit 30) or Dr. M.L. King Blvd. W. (Exit 29) or Himes Ave. N. (Exit 23-C) or N. Dale Mabry (Exit 23-A) From the South: I-75 N. to I-4 W. to I-275 S. to Himes Ave. N. (Exit 23-C) or N. Dale Mabry (Exit 23-A) n Or I-75 N. to I-275 N. to N. Dale Mabry (Exit 23-A) From the East: I-4 W. to I-275 S. to Himes Ave. N. (Exit 23-C) or N. Dale Mabry (Exit 23-A) n I-4 W. to Hillsborough Ave. W. (Exit 6) or Dr. M.L. King Blvd. W. (Exit 4) From the West: I-275 N. to N. Dale Mabry (Exit 23-A) n Or Hwy. 60 E. to Spruce St. E. to Dale Mabry N. Parking/Tailgating Insert Pic:  http://www.buccaneers.com/media/graphics/rjs/BigParkingMap3_sm.gif The easiest thing is to park at RayJay.  The lots open three hours before games.  Buses and Campers are allowed to park on stadium property for USF games in Lot 8 (located south of the stadium). http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/stadmap.htm#grounds Note:  Campers/RVs park in a different lot for Buc games.  Expect general admission parking to be directed to Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4. The website states: “For USF home games Cars and Motorcycles will be charged $7, Buses will be $30, and Limousines and Campers will be $20.† Tailgating seems to have few restrictions. http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/policies.htm  Note: Last year the stadium had very restrictive rules on the size of bags you could bring in the stadium.  Definitely err on the conservative side. However, Charcoal Grills are okay in the parking lots! Of course, with only three hours to tailgate you better be prepared to get to it.  One other parking option is located adjacent to the stadium grounds across the street (west) at http://www.hccfl.edu/dm/  Hillsborough Community College http://www.hccfl.edu/dm/files/D5EC599FC2834B7DAE29D2F84BD9F635.pdf Note: Just to the east was the old Tampa Bay Center Mall.  Recently it was torn down.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building Training Facilities there.  It is unknown at this time if any parking will be available.  A lot of Bull fans have used the free parking at the Mall for several seasons.  I will try to update the status of this lot once the season starts.  http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?name=&addr=Dale+Mabry&state=FL&csz=Tampa%2C+FL&ds=n&uzip=33602&mag=4&desc=&country=US&dma=539&cat=ent&resize=l&trf=0&lat=28.0655&lon=-82.50485&mlt=27.989608108108&mln=-82.505217543652&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&BFKey=spv Finally, if you cruise around you can find several private lots which might accommodate you earlier. RayJay Stadium: This place will be awesome when USF starts to consistently draw close to 40,000 fans.  The facility is absolute first class and has many amenities.  I don’t expect all the concessions http://www.buccaneers.com/rjs/concession.aspx  to be open but you should still have a good variety.  Insert Image: http://www.buccaneers.com/media/graphics/rjs/350X273_Photos_buc_cove.jpg Buccaneer Cove http://www.buccaneers.com/rjs/cove.aspx  is a tremendous landmark and you need to wander over and check it out sometime during the game.  You should have great sight lines http://www.buccaneers.com/rjs/diagram.aspx  since the stadium was built for football. Shopping I’ll keep it real simple.  Drop your spouse here.  It is located about 1 ½ miles southwest of RayJay stadium.  http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/ From the website: “International Plaza, adjacent to Tampa International Airport, is the most distinctive shopping and dining destination of Florida's West Coast. Four fashionable department stores, over 200 specialty shops and Bay Street at the Plaza... an open-air village of fine restaurants and small boutiques.† This place has a hotel (Renaissance) there and offers some travel packages.  http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/infodesk/visitors/  Thirty and over crowd alert:  The Bay Street Level (Street Level) has a large collection of upscale drinking and dining establishments.  This is a good alternative to the rowdier, younger Ybor City. Dining/Nightlife Hopefully a few USF fans can give me some ideas of some local specialties or noted restaurants to try.  I do know you need to try to eat at a Cuban Restaurant in Tampa.  Cuban food is excellent and not too expensive.  There is a huge selection in the area around the stadium especially if you drive south of the stadium.  I would recommend after the game to head to Bay Street Level of the International Plaza or http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?name=Tampa+International+Airport&addr=TPA&state=FL&csz=Tampa%2C+FL&ds=n&uzip=33602&mag=3&desc=&country=US&dma=539&cat=dine&resize=l&trf=0&lat=27.9713&lon=-82.539101&mlt=27.9713&mln=-82.539101&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&BFKey=allres  another option is cruising over to the Port of Tampa area and checking out Channelside. Insert Image: http://www.channelside.com/map2.jpg'>http://www.channelside.com/map2.jpg  Channelside http://www.channelside.com/  is another retail/dining entertainment area with many great restaurants and bars.  If you decide to stay downtown this place should be a must do destination.  A trolley is available to take you from Channelside to Yborâ€â€a plus. Insert image: http://www.tampagov.net/about_Tampa/attractions/ybor_city/images/Saturday_night_on_7th_Avenue.jpg Finally, Ybor City http://www.tampagov.net/about_Tampa/attractions/Ybor_City/index.asp has an international reputation for hosting a great party.  The crowd trends a little bit younger than International Plaza and Channelside. Ybor http://www.ybor.org/  is Tampa’s old Latin community.  Like many other urban areas it has been revitalized.  If you really want to let lose and mingle with lots of other like minded people this is the place.  http://www.centroybor.com/  Lodging Lodging is plentiful and comes in all price ranges.  If you want to be able to walk to the game a Holiday Express http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/tpaex  is your best choice.  USF fans report a new hotel is going up very close to the stadium.  Hopefully, someone can identify the brand name.  It is expected to be open soon.  A couple others very close to the stadium are the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza (a Marriott Property, 4 star luxury)http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=TPAIM and a Mircotel http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=1487 (2 star budget).  If you want to be near the airport (Westshore Area) there is a bevy of choices which you can see here.  http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?name=Tampa+International+Airport&addr=TPA&state=FL&csz=Tampa%2C+FL&ds=n&uzip=33602&mag=3&desc=&country=US&dma=539&cat=trav&resize=l&trf=0&lat=27.9713&lon=-82.539101&mlt=27.979372072072&mln=-82.519179582724&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&BFKey=ho  The airport motel area is only about a mile or two from the stadium which means you can avoid a rental car if you are only staying overnight.  Another area to try is the Downtown/Channelside/Ybor areas.  However, these areas are several miles from the stadium. http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?name=Tampa+International+Airport&addr=TPA&state=FL&csz=Tampa%2C+FL&ds=n&uzip=33602&mag=3&desc=&country=US&dma=539&cat=trav&resize=l&trf=0&lat=27.9713&lon=-82.539101&mlt=27.979372072072&mln=-82.519179582724&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&BFKey=ho  Finally, if you want to stay near the beaches you should try Clearwater or St. Pete areas.  http://www.floridasbeach.com/  Expect you’ll be about 45 minutes from the stadium if you stay out there.  I’d like to thank USF fan WoolyBully for helping me with this guide.  I hope this helps.  TexanMark

We need more Cowbells.... I have the USF guide written, does anybody want to volunteer to review it and offer suggestions? I hope to add a little local flavor (i.e. local specialities, where do the USF kids hang out after the game, famous local restaurants, etc...) I'll check back Monday evening and email it to my volunteer. Thx

http://mb25.scout.com/fsyracuseinsidersfrm7 to your list of Syracuse websites? It is a very active website and has many program insiders who post there. Thanks

Thanks for the info--I understand the Mall is the one next door they are knocking down. I'll put a note in it but will say it is undetermined at this time if you can still park there.

Three Hours sound much better than 90 minutes. I assume charcoal grills are not allowed? Any help on alternative locations?

SU Fan here.  I read on the RayJay website the lots for USF games only open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.  Is that true?  I saw on another thread that hardcore tailgaters go to a nearby parking lot to tailgate.  Where is it? Where do RV's park?  The reason I'm asking is I'm writing Tailgate/Visitor Articles on all eight BE teams.  I have done 6 of the 8 teams so far.  I'm just a fan and I am doing this as a reference for all fans.  I have provided a link to show you what the finished product will look like. UConn and Cinci are close to being finalized. The other four will be ready very soon. I have just USF and Rutgers left. Hopefully you guys can give me some guidance.  Thanks'>http://syracuse.scout.com/3/BETailgateGuide.html

Welcome to the conference...who is going with me to Mons Venus? Seriously, looking forward to road trips to one of my favorite places.....

I wouldn't expect you will have any weeknight games--sometimes there is a late move. I'd hold off on buying any airline tickets until early summer just in case. USF will be on TV--you'll need patience. Expect several Noon kickoffs though.

Don't worry Bull Fans. You may get 4,000 now but expect about 3-4,000 fans next year to showup rooting for the visiting team from Syracuse, UConn, and a few others.

If this happens that will be great for tailgating. Nothing is worse than a noon kickoff for tailgating. Well except for 11 am kickoffs ::grinrabbit::

I have posted this on the USF Board, too.... A friend of mine (Big SU Donor) was up in Syracuse last weekend from Texas for the Notre Dame/ UConn bb games and also a private booster meeting with the AD/Coaches. "Here is the word as it concerns SU, WVU, Pitt and UL. The Disney Empire has decided these four will be the teams they promote with the best TV slots for FB. WVU will open at Cuse on either Sat/Sun on ABC over Labor Day weekend. Also, they expect UL to host Syracuse on Nov 26th--the game will be either ABC or ESPN. All the games between these schools are expected to be on ESPN/Duece or ABC on Saturday or Thursday. I know AD Jurich thinks they are closing with Cinci but TV is dictating Louisville/Cuse." What does this mean for UConn, Rutgers, USF and Cinci? Inject my opinion here-->I suspect they (TV guys) are taking a wait and see on how the teams progress. In football the national cachet isn't there yet for these schools. This doesn't mean you won't be on Thursday night ESPN or weekend ESPN games but it will be much less than the other four teams. Disney does have the flexibility to highlight a team later in the season, for example... Rutgers is 6-1 or 5-2 they can definitely get a good TV slot in Oct/Nov on ESPN or ABC regional